then the citizens of california using their inherent political power under the constitution finished the task. they embraced the new taxes of proposition 30 by a healthy margin of 55% to 44%. [ applause ] michelle obama members of the legislature, i salute you and the unions, their leaders. you showed what ordinary people can do when they're united and organized. i salute those leaders of california business and the individual citizens who proudly stood with us. i salute the teachers and the students and the parents and the college presence, the whole school community. when describing what stirs people to action, feeling begets feeling and great feeling begets great feeling. you were alarmed, stirred yourself to action and victory was the outcome. that was 2012. what a year. both 2011 and 2012 were remarkable. you did great things. renewable energy mandate, the workers compensation, the reorganization of state government, protecting our forests and strengthening our timber industry, reforming our welfare system and launching the first high speed rail system in the nation. but of cour